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Author (up) O'Brien, A.J.; Kar, A. openurl 
  Title The role of second health professionals under New Zealand mental health legislation Type Journal Article
  Year 2006 Publication Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 356-363  
  Keywords Scope of practice; Psychiatric Nursing; Nurse-patient relations  
  Abstract The development of generic statutory roles in mental health care has been the subject of discussion by New Zealand nurses for the past decade. One such role is that of second health professional in judicial reviews of civil commitment. Issues identified by New Zealand nurses have also been raised in England, where it seems that nurses are likely to assume the role of Approved Mental Health Worker under English mental health law. A survey of mental health nurses found that few had received any preparation for the role of second health professional and 45% did not feel adequately prepared for the role. Some of these issues are reflected in a New Zealand inquiry which resulted in the Ministry of Health developing a written report form for second health professionals. However, the form has the potential to reduce the mental health nursing role to a narrow legal role. Statutory roles such as that of second health professional challenge mental health nurses to critically reflect on the conceptual and ethical basis of their practice. While traditional concepts such as therapeutic relationships and advocacy need to be reviewed in light of these changes, nurses need to be vigilant in articulating the moral and clinical basis of their roles. The development of guidelines for the second health professional role is suggested as a way of supporting clinical practice in this area.  
  Call Number NRSNZNO @ research @ Serial 1045  
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